Which course to choose?
Listed below are the doula courses that are approved by Doula UK. This means that they follow the Core Curriculum designed by Doula UK’s experienced doulas. Our approved courses, which we refer to as Initial Doula Preparation, are all taught by experienced doulas and are regularly inspected and monitored. The wide choice reflects a flexibility towards accommodating each novice doula’s needs.
Please note that membership of DUK is dependent on the completion of a Doula UK approved course.
Doula courses not listed here may be accredited by external awarding bodies but they do not entitle you to join Doula UK, with all its benefits, on completion.
If you are in any doubt about this please contact us.
Why choose a Doula UK approved course?
It gives you the opportunity to belong to the UK’s leading doula network. We are a non-profit organisation, with over ten years experience and hundreds of doulas all over the UK. All our doulas are individually supported and mentored as they begin to work with families. Do contact one of our doulas to find out more.
Our doulas are listed here on the free Find a Doula pages. Being listed on our “Find a Doula” page is – as many of our doulas will tell you - one of the most effective ways of securing work as a doula. We are NOT an Agency – this is free to parents too. We have an online Forum, our Doulaing magazine three times a year and an eNewsletter. Doula UK’s Doula Access Fund can help provide a doula where there is genuine financial need. We also run a doula Voucher Scheme. Many of our doulas are involved within various NHS projects as well as Sure Start schemes, meaning there is a wealth of information, experience and support available within our network.
Here is the list of courses - note that they are listed in no particular order and the order will change on each page refresh.
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Nurturing Birth
Course type:
Birth doula preparation
Postnatal doula preparation
Courses held in: Various across UK and overseas
http://www.nurturingbirth.co.uk
Cost: £450
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3 day courses
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Pre-course and post-course home study modules
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Antenatal/birth and postnatal preparation including a specific module on infant feeding
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Advice on setting up and running your own business as a doula
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Comprehensive course manual supplied covering all the course topics
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Quarterly e-news providing up to date birth and breastfeeding evidence based information
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Access to the private Nurturing Birth online forum providing information and support from trainers, fellow doulas and guest speakers (a valuable networking tool)
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Ongoing personalised mentoring
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Listing on the largest independent doula directory in the UK
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Additional training opportunities such as breastfeeding, antenatal
education and continued professional development (CPD) for experienced doulas
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Mindful Doulas
Course type:
Birth doula preparation
Postnatal doula preparation
Courses held in: Scotland, York and London
http://www.adelastockton.co.uk/content/birth-consultancy-mindful-doulas-course
Cost: £310
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Small groups, confidentiality respected
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Up to 6 months to complete all components:
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Home study pack - reading, researching, networking
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Core workshop (2.5 days) - includes listening & self-awareness, practical skills for prenatal, birth and postnatal work, setting up as a doula
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Breastfeeding workshop (1 day) - The Lay Supporter's Role (£40) [not required for qualified bf counsellors]
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Written assignment - time for reflection
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Certificate of attendance & completion
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Ongoing mentoring and support
** two assisted places (25% disc) per core workshop**
PLEASE NOTE: course fee if attending London workshops = £335
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Developing Doulas
Course type:
Birth doula preparation
Postnatal doula preparation
Courses held in: London and Cambridge
http://developingdoulas.co.uk
Cost: £375
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2 weekend workshops over 5 days
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Practical skills for birth and postnatal doulas - learning to 'mother the mother'
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Time to debrief and explore your own experiences, share and give and receive support within the group
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Support and information on setting up and getting going as a doula, joining Doula UK and the Doula UK Recognition Process
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Breastfeeding session run by a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor or IBCLC
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Extensive course manual that grows with you as you develop as a doula
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Large library of books to borrow
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Course Assignments and tasks between group sessions and after the course has finished
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Ongoing support
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Opportunities for ongoing learning and development of knowledge and skills through Developing Doulas study days and work-from-home courses
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Birthing Wisdom
Course type:
Birth doula preparation
Postnatal doula preparation
Courses held in: Devon
http://www.birthingwisdom.co.uk
Cost: £1200
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- 8 weekend sessions over 9 months
- 6 home study modules and observations over short period
- Holistic approach aiming to develop awareness and the confidence to use intuitive knowledge in conjunction with scientific information
- Personal exploration, cutting edge knowledge as well as hands on practical doula and breastfeeding skills.
- Teaching childbirth classes and facilitating mother's circles.
- Working alongside Healthcare professionals as part of the birthing team.
- Marketing yourself and setting up your practice.
- Debriefing and healing own birth and breastfeeding experiences. Self care practice
- Ongoing telephone, email support and mentoring. Buddies.
- Access to a learning community through the forum
- Certificate of attendance and completion
- Easy payment schedule and career development loans available
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BirthBliss Aspiring Doula Foundation Course
Course type:
Birth doula preparation
Postnatal doula preparation
Courses held in: Various locations across the UK
http://www.birthbliss.co.uk
Cost: £425
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Small groups for maximum support and learning
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Home study pre-course module
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Master doula classes and practical doula labs
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Breastfeeding session with qualified IBCLC
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Post-course module
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Attendance Certificate on completion
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On-going mentoring and support
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4 days long
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Discounts on study days and workshops
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Conscious Birthing
Course type:
Birth doula preparation
Postnatal doula preparation
Courses held in: Various across the UK
http://www.doulatraining.co.uk
Cost: £500
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Five day courses in Cornwall, Glastonbury, London and Brighton, with residential options
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Fun, informative and multi-media
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Small groups only
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Become part of a Network and attend informal group get togethers and further training, including Recognised Doulas and ‘trainees’
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Home research, networking and reflective reference pack
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Certificate of attendance and completion
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On-going telephone and online support
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‘Tools for self-reliance’ a great offering to pass on to your clients; Facilitating Empowerment
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Practical skills for Prenatal, Birth and Postnatal Doula service
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Holistic approach including both the medical model and the alternative models of care in depth
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Integrated and in depth inclusion of supporting Fathers-to-be
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Sessions on working alongside Healthcare professionals
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Advice and guidance for Setting up and marketing your Doula practice
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Recommended reading list
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De-briefing, time to reflect and the provision of a safe opportunity to begin to heal your own birth story / ies and to look at our ‘Blueprints’
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Access to an extensive lending library
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Options for further training
£500 inclusive / £600 residential, including breakfast
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Paramana Doula
Course type:
Birth doula preparation
Postnatal doula preparation
Courses held in: London and some European countries
http://www.paramanadoula.com
Cost: £325
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Attendance Certificate on Completion.
Tutors: Dr Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers. Course is 3 days.
Some topics discussed:
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Birth Physiology
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Synthetic Oxytocin and the future of Homo Sapiens
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Long consequences of how we are born
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The use of water during labour
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The participation of the father at birth
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Induced labour
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Premature rupture of membranes
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Lactation starts before the baby is born
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First Aid in Obstetrics
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The role of the birth/postnatal doula
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